The Canterbury machine rolled on last weekend and this week they will be looking to emulate the star studded Auckland side of the 1980’s in making it three National Provincial Championships in a row.

Wellington gave a good account of themselves in Christchurch last Friday night but ultimately were just not good enough to over run a composed Canterbury side. The Wellingtonian’s closed to within two points of the defending champions with just five minutes remaining on the clock, however Canterbury were able to close ranks a strike twice in the final minutes to win by a flattering margin.

Auckland’s clash with southern rivals Waikato didn’t lack any spice or drama again in what has been a brilliant couple of games for the neutral spectator this season. During round robin play Dwayne Sweeney crossed after the hooter to beat the Aucklander’s at home and low and behold it happened again with replacement prop Hikairo Forbes crashing over close to the uprights for Trent Renata to add the vital extras for the Mooloos to book their place in the 2010 ITM Cup Final against Canterbury.

Well when we seriously think about who will win this match it is a no brainer. Canterbury simple as that – or is it. So what do they have that makes them favourites. They have more game breakers than Waikato, they have home ground advantage, and they have the best goal kicker in the competition in Colin Slade.

Waikato on the other hand, as you can see from their ‘Road to the Final Form’ are travelling nicely and deserve an honourable mention.

They can’t win, though can they ?

In team news for Canterbury, Captain George Whitelock returns for the champions on the blindside flank in the place of Ash Parker. Parker drops to the reserve bench, pushing lock Rob Verbakel out of the 22.

For Waikato it is the same starting line up that conquered Auckland after the hooter last Saturday night, there is however an addition on the pine with Brendon Leonard who returns to the side after a sickening head clash head during the Northland game in round ten of the competition.

Our South African viewers will appreciate this Waikato side, it has a genuine forward pack made up of no frill hard working men that all think they can step up to higher honours and many scouts from clubs from around the world will be watching their efforts with real interest.

This year’s ITM Cup has provided one upset after another so in the spirit of the competition, in a game where all the smart money will stay firmly in one’s pocket, I’ll go with the upset – Waikato.

Enjoy the final of the 2010 ITM Cup, as it wet’s your appetite for a huge weekend of International Rugby.